[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 40702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17166]



[[Page 40702]]

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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Institute of Museum and Library Services; Notice of Comment 
Request

SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and 
federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or 
continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3508(copyright)(2)(A)]. This 
program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the 
desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is 
minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the 
impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly 
assessed. Currently the Institute of Museum and Library Services is 
submitting to OMB a generic clearance for guidelines, applications, 
reporting forms and customer service surveys.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addressee 
section of this notice.
    Comments should be sent to Mamie Bittner, Director of Public and 
Legislative Affairs, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20506.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before September 8, 2003.
    IMLS is particularly interested in comments which help the agency 
to:
    [sbull] Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    [sbull] Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity 
of the methodology and assumptions used;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    [sbull] Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Mamie Bittner, Director of Legislative and 
Public Affairs, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Room 510, Washington, D.C. 20506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Pub. L. 104-208 enacted on September 30, 1996 contains the Library 
Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act.
    Pub. L. 104-208 authorizes the Director of the Institute of Museum 
and Library Services to make grants to States, and to Indian tribes and 
to organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians 
to--
    (1) Consolidate Federal library service programs;
    (2) stimulate excellence and promote access to learning and 
information resources in all types of libraries for individuals of all 
ages;
    (3) promote library services that provide all users access to 
information through State, regional, national and international 
electronic networks;
    (4) provide linkages among and between libraries;
    (5) promote targeted library services to people of diverse 
geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals 
with disabilities, and to people with limited functional literacy or 
information skills.
    Pub. L. 104-208 also provides authority for the Director to make 
grants, and to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for 
activities that may include
    (1) education and training of persons in library and information 
science, particularly in areas of new technology and other critical 
needs, including graduate fellowships, traineeships, institutes and 
other programs.
    (2) research and demonstration projects related to the improvement 
of libraries, education in library and information science, enhancement 
of library services through effective and efficient use of new 
technologies, and dissemination of information derived from such 
projects;
    (3) preserving or digitization of library materials and resources, 
giving priority to projects emphasizing coordination, avoidance of 
duplication, and access by researchers beyond the institution of 
library entity undertaking the project; and
    (4) model programs demonstrating cooperative efforts between 
libraries and museums.
    Pub. L. 104-208 also provides authority for the Director to make 
grants to museums for activities such as--
    (1) Programs that enable museums to construct or install displays, 
interpretations, and exhibitions in order to improve museum services 
provided to the public:
    (2) assisting museums in developing and maintain professionally 
trained or otherwise experienced staff to meet the needs of the 
museums;
    (3) assisting museums in meeting the administrative costs of 
preserving and maintaining the collections of the museums, exhibiting 
the collections to the public, and providing educational programs to 
the public through the use of the collections;
    (4) assisting museums in cooperating with each other in developing 
traveling exhibitions, meeting transportation costs, and identifying 
and locating collections available for loan;
    (5) assisting museums in the conservation of their collections;
    (6) developing and carrying our specialized programs for specific 
segments of the public, such as programs for urban neighborhoods, rural 
areas, Indian reservations, and penal and other State institutions; and
    (7) model programs demonstrating cooperative efforts between 
libraries and museums.
    The Director is also authorized to enter into contracts and 
cooperative agreements with appropriate entities to strengthen museum 
services.

II. Current Actions

    To administer these programs of grants, cooperative agreements and 
contracts, IMLS must develop application guidelines, reports and 
customer service surveys.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Application Guidelines, Interim and Final Performance 
Reports, and Customer Service Surveys.
    OMB Number: 3137-0029.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: State Library Administrative Agencies, museums, 
libraries.
    Number of Respondents: 2500.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1-40.
    Total Burden Hours: 35,000.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total Annual Costs: 0.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mamie Bittner, Director Public and 
Legislative Affairs, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506, telephone (202) 606-
4646.

    Dated: July 1, 2003.
Mamie Bittner,
Director Public and Legislative Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-17166 Filed 7-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M